Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Saving the Market
| — | Queen Victoria Market | — |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026
1. Saving the Market Marker
Announcement of demolition in 1971 prompted fierce reaction from many groups raising community, historical and architectural concerns. Eric Benjamin formed the Keep Victoria Market Association to coordinate these groups. Their campaign convinced the Melbourne City Council and Premier, Rupert Hamer, to retain the market site and its heritage buildings.
Those who helped save the market included the Victoria Market Retailers Association; National Trust (Vic): Combined Pensioners League: Keep Victoria Market Association; Carlton, North Melbourne and Parkville Residents Associations; Builders Labourers Federation: Brotherhood of St Laurence and thousands of individuals.
Erected by Queen Victoria Market.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.
Location. 37° 48.372′ S, 144° 57.433′ E. Marker
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Market Opening - Floor Plaque (here, next to this marker); Bringing home the Shopping (here, next to this marker); Market Football (here, next to this marker); Wholesale to Retail (here, next to this marker); The Market Gates (a few steps from this marker); Tombstone Territory / The People Prevail (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Victoria Market Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); Victoria Street Shops / Instant and Delicious (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026
2. Saving the Market Marker to the right of the large square black sign
Also see . . . A Series of Constant Challenges. Royal Historical Society of Victoria
While the physical dimensions of the market were settled by the mid-1930s, the history of the QVM since then has been one of repeated tensions about how the site should be used. The rising value of Melbourne real estate during the 1960s gave rise to the first of a series of challenges to the QVM as a vital public asset. Following the relocation of the wholesale market to Footscray in 1969, the area containing the Franklin Street stores was redeveloped as a 1200 space car park, resulting in the demolition of the northern row of stores.(Submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
A more serious challenge occurred in the 1970s when Melbourne City Council commissioned a report into options for the market site. The report considered three options, one (Concept C) which contained a trade centre, office block and hotel, but no market at all. Despite a public outcry when the report was leaked to The Age in April 1971, the Council continued to develop a plan based on Option C, with the concession of including a small market. Despite growing opposition, including from the newly formed Keep the Victoria Market Association, residents’ groups, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and the Builders Labourers Federation, it was not until 1976 that the Council agreed to maintain the entire QVM site as a market and refurbish various buildings and structures
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
